Container locking means



H. w. FORRER CONTAINER LOCKING MEANS Filed Jan. 5, 1960 Nov. 28, 1961INVENTOR 32 HOMER w FORRER s z, w

ATTORNEY 3,019,638 Patented Nov. 28, 1961 3,010,638 CONTAINER LOCKINGMEANS Homer W. Forrer, East Point, Ga., assignor, by mesne assignments,to The Mead Corporation, Dayton, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Filed Jan.5, 1960, Ser. No. 7,065 Claims. (Cl. 229-45) This invention relates tocontainer locking means and more particularly to a cover lock forfolding paperboard boxes which may be used in conjunction with hingedcovers or with flanged covers of the separately removable type and isfor the purpose of securing the cover in its container closing position.

In folding boxes of the type currently used, for example to packagefrozen foods, considerable reliance is placed on the presence of thepackaged items in the container to provide needed locking pressure so asto insure that the covers of such boxes do not open accidentally.Naturally such constructions are diflicult to open when fully loaded dueto the locking action of the container contents.

Special locking constructions of the above described type frequentlyrequire a substantial amount of additional material in order to form thelocking elements and may also require special machinery to form thelocking structure and the associated container. Furthermore in some lockconstructions it is diflicult to wrap the box with suitable decorativeoverwrapping material without dislocating the lock or forming a looseand unattractive appearing package.

A principal object of this invention is to provide a container lockingmeans which is effective securely to lock a container cover in itsclosed position and which is adapted to be opened easily when access tothe container contents is desired by the user and so as to be readilyreclosed and locked if desired.

Another object of this invention is the provision of an improved coverlock for folding boxes which is adaptable for use eitherwith containershaving hinged covers or with containers having flanged covers of theseparately removable type.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an improved coverlock for folding boxes which is adapted to be formed on conventionalmachines and which requires no additional material.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an improved coverlock for folding boxes which is adapted to accommodate a tight overwrapwithout becoming unfastened or weakened. V

The invention in one form as applied to folding boxes may comprise alocking flap foldably joined along the upper edge of a side wall panelforming a part of the main body of the box, the edge of the locking flapremote from its fold line constituting a locking edge, an abutment slotformed in the flange of the cover which is adjacent to the locking flap,the abutment slot being disposed generally parallel to the locking edgeof the locking flap and being adjacent one end of the locking flap, anda clearance slot formed in the cover flange and angularly disposed atthe outer end of the abutment slot and extending upwardly toward themain panel of the cover, the clearance slot being for the purpose ofallowing that portion of the flange of the cover defined by the abutmentslot and the clearance slot to bulge outwardly somewhat thereby toexpose the abutment slot for engagement by the end of the locking edgeof the locking flap.

For a better understanding of the invention reference may be had to thefollowing detailed description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings in which FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a foldingbox embodying one form of the invention; FIG. 2 is a fragmentary View ofone corner designated 22 of the box in FIG. 1 and which shOWs the boxwith the cover in its closed position; FIG. 3 is a View similar to FIG.2 but which shows the box with the cover removed; and in which FIG. 4 isa fragmentary view partially in section taken along the line 4-4 in FIG.1.

With reference to FIG. 1 the box there depicted comprises a tray portiongenerally designated by the numeral 1 and a top portion generallydesignated by the numeral 2. Tray portion 1 of the box comprises abottom panel 3 and sidewall panels 4, 5, 6, and 7. To facilitatecollapsing of the box a pair of score lines 8 and 9 are formed insidewall 4 and a corresponding and similar pair of score lines areformed in the sidewall 5 in known manner, it being understood that afull view of the score lines in side wall 5 is not possible because ofthe obstruction of top 2.

For the purpose of reinforcing the box tray 1 suitable cornerreinforcing structure is provided and as shown in FIG. 1 such structureis generally designated by the numerals 10, 11, 12 and 13. It is to beunderstood that the reinforcing elements 10, 11, 12 and 13 form no partof the present invention, such structural features being disclosed andclaimed in copending application Serial Number 856,522, filed Dec. 1,1959.

For purposes of clarity the reinforcing structure generally designatedby the numeral 19 and shown in cross section in FIG. 4 will now bedescribed, it being understood that all reinforcing corner elements areidentical in construction. The reinforcing structure 10 comprises afirst panel 14 which is foldably joined to the end edge 15 of sidewallpanel 6. Foldably joined to the edge 16 of panel 14 is a reinforcingpanel 17. To the medial fold line 18 defining an edge of panel 17another reinforcing panel 19 is foldably joined. A securing panel 20 isfoldably joined along fold line 21 to reinforcing panel 19 and issecured by glue or other suitable means to the inside surface of panel 6adjacent the end edge 15 thereof. Secured to the outer surface of panel14 is the corner defining end 22 of sidewall panel 5.

The top generally designated by the numeral 2 comprises a main panel 23to the edges of which conventional flanges are foldably joined; Two suchflanges are designated in FIG. 1 by the numerals 24 and 25 it beingunderstood that corresponding similar flanges are formed on the oppositeedges of main panel 23 of box top 2. The corner of the flanges 24 and 25is formed by a suitable lap panel which is foldably joined to the end offlange 24 and secured to the inner surface of the left hand end offlange 25. To aid in collapsing the cover 2 suitable score lines 26 and27 are formed in the flange panel 25 and are disposed angularly asindicated in FIG. 1 in conventional fashion. Similarly score lines areformed in the flange opposite flange 25.

In accordance with this invention means are provided for securing thecover 2 in its closed position atop the tray structure 1. Such lockingmeans may comprise locking flaps such as are designated by the numerals28 and 29 in FIG. 1. As is apparent from the drawings, the locking flap28 is foldably joined to the top edge of sidewall 6 and is foldedoutwardly and downwardly therefrom. It will be understood that theinherent fight or bias of the paperboard tends to urge the locking flapoutwardly. Furthermore it will be understood that locking flaps 28 and29 are of identical construction.

For engaging the locking flap 28 a pair of abutment slots 30 and 31 areformed at each end of flange panel 24. These abutment slots aregenerally parallel to the looking edge 32 of the locking flap. 28 andordinarily when the cover 2 is in its closed position, the abutmentslots 30 and 31 are disposed slightly below the locking edge 32.

For the purpose of accommodating outward movement the locking slots 30and 31, a clearance slot is provided adjacent the ends of the lockingslots 30 and 31. Such clearance slots are vertically disposed and aredesignated in the drawing by the numerals 33 and 34. It will beunderstood that the clearance slots 33 and 34 connect with the ends ofthe abutment slots 30 and 31 respectively. Since there is a naturaltendency for the ends of the flange 24 to bow outwardly due to the fightof the paperboard, the slots 33 and 34 release the ends of the flange 24immediately above the abutment slots 30 and 31 respectively and therebyallow those parts of the flange 24 to buckle outwardly as depictedgenerally in FIG. 2 at 34A. Furthermore since the entire flange 28 andparticularly its locking edge 32 is biased upwardly and toward the leftdue to the inherent fight of the paperboard, the end corners 35 and 36of the locking flap 28 move outwardly in following relation to theoutwardly bulging parts 33A and 34A of the panel 24.

Thus it will be understood that the ends of the locking edge 32 securelyengage the abutment slots 30 and 31 when the cover is in a closedposition and thereby prevent opening of the cover.

Furthermore it will be understood that the locking flap 29 isconstructed in a manner identical to locking flap 28 and that the endflange opposite flange 24 is provided with suitable abutment slots andclearance slots as described above in connection with flange 24. Thusboth ends of the cover 23 are securely locked when in closed position.

While the structure described above is of the type wherein the cover isseparately formed and entirely removable from the tray, it will beunderstood that the invention is applicable equally to a folding .box ofthe type wherein a hinged cover is used. For example, the edge 37 of thetop could be hingedly connected to the edge 38 of the tray thereby toform a hinged cover for the box depicted in FIG. 1. In such event thestructure above described in connection with flap 28 and flange 24 wouldperform its locking function.

It is also apparent that no additional material. is requ-ired to formthe lock of this invention and that the I box whether of the hinged orseparate cover type may be formed on conventional equipment. In additionit will be apparent that reliance is not placed on the contents of thebox to exert a lock engaging force along the inner surfaces of thesidewalls 6 and 7. For this reason the lock may be disengaged by hand bysuitable application of pressure as will be readily apparent.Furthermore since the center part 23 of the cover 1 may be firmlyengaged with the upper edges of the sidewall when the box is closed, anoverwrap may be formed about the entire box including the tray and thecover and that such overwrap may be tightly drawn to afford anattractive package.

While 1 have shown and described particular embodiments of the inventionI do not wish to be limited thereto and intend in the appended claims tocover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spiritand scope of the invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates is:

1.'Locking means for preventing relative movement between a pair ofclosely spaced generally parallel panels in a direction generallyparallel to said panels, said locking means comprising a locking flapfoldably joined to one of said panels and folded over toward said onepanel on the side thereof adjacent the other panel, said locking flapbeing inherently biased toward said other panel and the edge of saidlocking flap remote from its fold line constituting a locking edge, athird panel disposed generally normal to said pair of panels andfoldably joined to said other panel so that the inherent bias of saidother panel is in a direction away from said locking flap, an abutmentslot formed in said other panel adjacent at least one end of saidlocking edgeand generally parallel thereto, said abutment slot being onthe side of said locking edge remote from the fold line between said onepanel and said locking flap when in locked position, means holding thepart of said other panel on the 'side of said abutmentrslot remote fromthe fold line between said one panel and said locking flap in generallynormal relation to said third panel, and a clearance slot formed in saidother panel in angular relation to said abutment slot and outwardly ofsaid one end of said locking flap, said clearance slot extending fromsaid abutment slot in the general direction of the fold line betweensaid locking flap and said one panel, said clearance slot beingeffective to accommodate movement of that part of said other paneladjacent the said one end of said locking flap due to the followingengagement of said locking flap and the inherent bias thereof in adirection away from said one panel and out of the plane of said otherpanel to expose said abutment slot for engagement by said one endof saidlocking flap.

2. In combination, a container tray having a polygonal bottom and sidewalls, a complementary container cover having flanges on at least twoadjacent edges thereof, said flanges being interconnected at theiradjacent ends, a locking flap foldably jointed to a wall of saidcontainer adjacent one of said flanges on said cover and folded so thatan edge of said flap remote from its fold line is disposed on the sideof said fold line opposite from the cover to form a locking edge, saidlocking flap being inherently biased toward the adjacent cover flange,an abutment slot formed in said one flange of the cover and generallyparallel to said locking edge of said locking flap and adjacent an endthereof, said abutment slot being on the side of said locking edge ofsaid locking flap remote from the fold line between said locking flapand said wall and being spaced from said locking edge by aslightclearance distance when the cover is fully closed, and a clearance slotformed in the flange of the cover and extending angularly from saidabutment slot and generally in the direction of the cover, saidclearance slot being adjacent to but spaced outwardly from said oneend'of said locking flap, said clearance slot being effective toaccommodate movement of that part of the flange between said abutmentand clearance slots and adjacent said one end of said locking flap dueto itsinherent bias and due to the following engagement of said lockingflap and the inherent bias thereof in a direction away from said lockingflap thereby to expose said abutment slot for enagagement by said oneend of said locking flap.

3. A cover lock for a folding box comprising a wall of the box, alocking flap foldably joined along an upper edge of said wall and foldeddownwardly therefrom to form a locking edge along the edge thereofremote from the fold line, said locking flap being inherently biasedaway from said Wall, a cover, a first flange formed on an edge of saidcover and arranged in telescoping relat-ion to said locking flap whensaid cover is in closed position, a pair of flanges formed on oppositeedges of said cover and each having one end thereof respectivelyconnected with an end of said one flange, an abutment slot formed insaid one flange adjacent one end of said locking flap and generallyparallel to said locking edge, and a clearance slot formed in saidflange and extending angularly from said abutment slot and generally inthe direction of the cover, said clearance slot being adjacent to butspaced outwardly from said one .end of said looking flap, said clearanceslot-being effective to accommodate movement of that part of the flangebetween said abutment and clearanceslots and adjacent said one end ofsaid locking flap due to its inherent biasand due to the followingengagement of said locking flap and the inherent bias thereof in adirection away from said locking flap thereby to expose said abutmentslot for engagement by said one end of said locking flap.

4. A cover lock for a folding box comprising a wall of the box, alocking flap foldably joined along an upper edge of said wall and foldeddownwardly therefrom to form a locking edge along the edge thereofremote from the fold line, said locking flap being inherently biasedaway from said wall, a cover, a first flange formed on an edge of saidcover and arranged in telescoping relation to said locking flap whensaid cover is in closed position, a pair of flanges formed on oppositeedges of said cover and each having one end thereof respectivelyconnected with an end of said one flange, a pair of abutment slotsformed in said one flange and respectively disposed adjacent oppositeends of said locking flap and generally parallel to said locking edge,and a pair of clearance slots formed in said flange and respectivelyextending from one of said abutment slots and generally toward saidcover, said clearance slots being spaced outwardly somewhat from therespective ends of said locking flap, said clearance slots beingeffective to accommodate movement of those parts of said flange definedby said abutment and clearance slots and adjacent the ends of saidlocking flap due to its inherent bias and due to the followingengagement of said locking flap and the inherent bias thereof in adirection away from said locking flap thereby to expose said abutmentslots for respective engagement by the ends of said locking flap.

5. A container comprising a tray portion having a bottom and a sidewall, a locking flap foldably joined along the upper edge of said sidewall and folded outwardly and downwardly therefrom to form a lockingedge along the edge thereof remote from the fold line, said locking flapbeing inherently biased away from said wall, a cover, a first flangeformed along an edge of said cover and arranged to telescope over saidlocking flap when said cover is closed, a pair of flanges formed onopposite edges of said cover and each having one end thereofrespectively connected with an end of said one flange, a pair ofhorizontally spaced abutment slots formed in said one flange adjacentthe ends of said locking flap and generally parallel to said lockingedge, said slots extending slightly beyond the ends of said locking flapand being spaced slightly below said locking edge when said cover isfully closed, and a pair of clearance slots extending upwardly from theouter ends respectively of said abutment slots, said clearance slotsbeing effective to accommodate movement of those parts of said flangedefined by said abutment and clearance slots and adjacent the ends ofsaid locking flap due to its inherent bias and due to the followingengagement of said locking flap and the inherent bias thereof in adirection away from said locking fiap thereby to expose said abutmentslots for respective engagement by the ends of said locking flap.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,818,266 Miner Aug. 11, 1931 2,373,977 Scherer Apr. 17, 1945 2,713,963Andrews et al. July 26, 1955 2,928,581 Graybill Mar. 15, 1960

